How to Take Your Self Tape Audition to the Next Level

Here at Aura Casting, we love self tapes! We cast 100% of our projects through self tapes and Zoom callbacks. It’s so convenient for producers, actors and casting!

There are so many benefits to self taping:

• You can tape at any time of day (Or night!)

• You can perform your scene and watch it back immediately.

• You don’t have to drive across town to an audition and pay for parking.

Once every few months, we host a free self tape workshop to answer all of your questions about self tape auditions. Here are a few common questions from the last few workshops:

What is a casting director looking for?

It depends on the project and the role! Sometimes we need to follow very specific guidelines based on the character in the script. We could be searching for anything from appearance to acting ability to possessing a special skill. Sometimes we just want to see what you can bring to the table! It’s a creative process between the actor, the casting director and the production team. There’s no clear answer, so our best advice is to be yourself, be natural, and read the self tape instructions a few times through before filming.

What should I do when I don’t have a reader?

A reader is a very important part of a scripted audition. If you have someone off screen reading the lines of the other role, it can really help to ground you in the moment. But what if no one is home when you need to tape? There are a couple of options!

• You can ask a friend. Even if they aren’t able to read the lines in person, they can act as your reader over Zoom.

• You can record the lines of the other character on a Voice Memo and play them back while you film.

• You can find a reader on WeAudition (Not sponsored, we have just heard good things!)

Should I add some flair to my slate?

Feel free to bring energy to your slate while keeping it short and sweet. Our main priority is your acting performance, but we also want to make sure that you’ll be professional and ready to follow directions when you arrive on set!

Want to be a part of our next self tape workshop? Join the Aura Casting database to be notified. It’s 100% free!